2018 Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities

Thanksgiving is a very special time at Open Arms. We give all our clients the option of receiving either a frozen turkey with all the fixings the week before Thanksgiving or receiving a freshly made meal on Thanksgiving day.

To help make these holiday deliveries possible, we need a whole lot of volunteers! Here are the ways you can help throughout November.

1. TOP NEED: Fill a regular meal delivery shift anytime during November

Deliver healthy food right to our clients’ doors! Kids and friends are welcome to ride along with you.

Volunteer details:Meal delivery shifts are available Mondays–Fridays at 11 a.m. throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Volunteers deliver in their own vehicle. One sign up PER CAR is needed.

2. Fill a regular kitchen shift anytime during November

Help us prepare and package our regular client meals and all the Thanksgiving extras!

Gather a group of 6-20 volunteers and help us prepare and package meals to support our clients. We ask that all groups make a $500 financial commitment to sponsor 10 Thanksgiving dinners for our clients and their families to enjoy together.

Clients will receive a frozen turkey and all the fixings ahead of the holiday so that they can cook a Thanksgiving feast with their loved ones.

Volunteer details:
On Tuesday 11/13, Wednesday 11/14 or Thursday 11/15, you’ll deliver frozen turkeys and all the fixings to 1-3 clients living in the Twin Cities metro area. Delivery time is 2 p.m. Volunteers deliver in their own vehicle. One sign up PER CAR is needed.

5. Deliver makeup meals on November 19, 20 or 21

Since we won’t do regular meal deliveries on Thanksgiving and will be closed on Friday, November 23, some clients will need to get their food earlier in the week.

Volunteer details:
On Monday 11/19, Tuesday 11/20 or Wednesday 11/21, you’ll deliver meals to clients living in the Twin Cities metro area. Delivery time is 11 a.m. Volunteers deliver in their own vehicle. One sign up PER CAR is needed.

6. Deliver a Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day, November 22 — FULL

Clients who don’t feel up to cooking their own turkey will get a freshly prepared turkey dinner and all the fixings to enjoy with a loved one on Thanksgiving morning.

Volunteer details:
On Thanksgiving Day, you’ll deliver meals to 1-3 clients living in the Twin Cities metro area. There are two delivery times: 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Volunteers deliver in their own vehicle. One sign up PER CAR is needed. Limited availability. Individuals and families only.

7. Help host Thanksgiving deliveries on November 22 — FULL

Thanksgiving Day delivery hosts will help with the logistics of Thanksgiving Day at Open Arms, making sure the whole operation runs smoothly.

Volunteer details:
Volunteer positions include greeting kitchen and delivery volunteers, helping to load delivery bags into vehicles, and assisting with traffic control. Delivery host shifts are from 9:30–11:30 a.m. Volunteers may be positioned inside or outside of the building during their shift. Limited availability. Individuals and families only.

New Open Arms volunteers:
To volunteer for any of these opportunities, you will first need to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. Please note that there are a limited number of volunteer orientations before Thanksgiving! Sign up here to reserve your spot>>

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